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C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics Are New Medical Home

for Growing Number of Hurricane Evacuees from Puerto Rico

As evacuees from Puerto Rico continue arriving in Miami-Dade and Orange County,
surrounding counties like Palm Beach County are stepping up to provide services and
much needed care. The C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics were among the state’s first
FQHC’s to respond to Governor Scott’s call for a State of Emergency in response to
Hurricane Maria. Thus far, these patients have been seen at the Brumback Clinics’ West
Boca and Lake Worth sites. One of those patients is Gloria Espada, 76, who brought her
42-year-old son with special needs. Both were left devastated after their apartment build-
ing in Caguas, Puerto Rico was gutted by winds and flooding.
Fortunately, Espada’s family in Lake Worth is helping them rebuild their lives. Since
evacuating, Friday, October 13th was the first opportunity that they had to re-establish
health care. In addition to the medical and dental services provided by the Brumback
Clinics, Health Care District staff are providing support to the “whole person”; offering
assistance accessing other health and human services. It is a small step but an important
one. Espada and her son are scheduled for a follow-up visit later this month.
“We are committed to assisting families fleeing Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
who are in need of primary care services” said Darcy J. Davis, Chief Executive Officer of
the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. “Our clinics are a touch point for evac-
uees. Medical, dental and behavioral health care are often the entry door to other needed
services. Staff at our primary care clinics provide a ‘warm hand-off’ to victims of natural
disasters. Our staff help them navigate other important services like the pharmacy pro-
gram, access to school nurses in the public schools or in extreme cases, acute care at our
rural, teaching hospital in the western Glades. Our goal is to help families recover from Gloria Espada with her son
the storm.”
Christopher F. Irizarry, MPA, Vice President and Executive Director of Clinic Services The C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics are Federally Qualified Health Centers that serve
for the Health Care District said, “Many of our staff members are Caribbean natives who all patients, with or without insurance. While they do accept walk-ins, families and individuals
speak English, Spanish and Creole. The recovery effort is a personal issue for many. We are encouraged to call the appointment line at (561) 642-1000
are deeply committed and proud to offer quality, compassionate care to these patients for support and to arrange needed services.
who have endured extreme conditions and tremendous losses.”

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30 November 2017 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News